Hong Kong Dining Guide 2026: Top Restaurants, Booking & Cathay Miles
Planning a Hong Kong food adventure for 2026? Discover how to find top restaurants, book tables without waiting, and even earn Cathay Pacific miles with OpenRice.
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Planning a Hong Kong food adventure for 2026? Discover how to find top restaurants, book tables without waiting, and even earn Cathay Pacific miles with OpenRice.
What's the most exciting moment when preparing for a trip to Hong Kong?
It's creating your list of must-try restaurants, right?
But what happens when you actually arrive?
You often end up giving up because of long waits!
How long is the wait at that Hong Kong hotspot?
Can I get in without waiting?
Can I make a reservation in English?
You've had these worries more than once, haven't you?
When I first went to Hong Kong,
I wandered around without a plan,
and even waited in line for over an hour,
only to eventually give up.
Especially for those of you traveling to Hong Kong who...
✔️ want to visit Hong Kong's best restaurants without waiting in line
✔️ want to find **restaurants recommended by locals**
✔️ wish you could **check out reviews and menus in advance**
✔️ want to **earn Cathay miles while you dine**
If even one of these sounds like you,
you absolutely must read this post!
For everyone reading today's post,
I'll help you have a truly successful Hong Kong food adventure!
1. How to find your Hong Kong restaurant list?
If you're serious about food,
you've probably used apps like MangoPlate or Catch Table in Korea, right?
In Hong Kong, the OpenRice app plays that very role!
It's a comprehensive restaurant platform where you can see not only reservations, but also local reviews & ratings, popular menu items,
and even price ranges, all at a glance.
Hong Kong aside, it also supports Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, and more.
But **especially in Hong Kong, it has an overwhelmingly dominant market share,**
meaning almost every restaurant is listed there.
An Essential App for Your Hong Kong Trip
What are OpenRice's Features?
✔️ Restaurant search and reservations
✔️ Authentic reviews from Hong Kong locals
✔️ Menu browsing
✔️ Filter search by area, price, and cuisine type
✔️ Discount payment features
✔️ Earn Cathay miles when you book
A Hong Kong Food App?
Is it really necessary?
Can't I just use Google Maps
and check things easily?
Of course, you can.
But let's be honest, Google Maps
mostly features reviews from tourists, right?
If you want to see a list of genuine Hong Kong eateries
recommended by locals,
I highly recommend OpenRice.
Just so you know, I have absolutely no affiliation with OpenRice,
I'm just sharing this purely for informational purposes!
OpenRice vs Google Maps | ||
Feature | OpenRice | Google Maps |
Reservation Feature | Extensive | Very limited |
Visitor Reviews | Locals, primarily Cantonese/English | Tourist reviews focused |
View Menus & Prices | Up-to-date menus available | Only some available |
Hong Kong Specific | Dominant local platform | Global platform, not used by Hong Kong locals |
2. How to Use the OpenRice App
Hong Kong Food App Usage Summary |
👉 Search for "OpenRice" in your app store and install 👉 Recommended language setting: English 👉 Sign up: Easy registration with your Google email 👉 Done! Now, start searching for your desired restaurants! |
TIP! You can also use the website, but the app is much more convenient. With just a Google email, you can easily sign up and book restaurants, so I highly recommend using the app! |
On-site Confirmation After Booking?
✔️ Upon arrival, state the name you used for your OpenRice reservation.
"I am DearMe and reserved via Openrice"
✔️ Some establishments require QR code check-in.
Just show your app.
✔️ If you're 10-15 minutes late after your reservation,
your reservation might be automatically canceled!
If you no-show after booking, your score will be reduced.
The maximum score is 5 points. If it drops below 3 points,
you can no longer earn Cathay miles when booking.
So, if you think you might not be able to make it,
I recommend canceling your reservation in advance on the app.
3. How to Earn Points and Cathay Miles
Here it is!
The reason you absolutely must use this app:
There are rewards you can get when booking with OpenRice.
OpenRice's own points or Cathay miles
You can choose one of these two rewards.
Please refer to the table below.
OpenRice Points vs Cathay Miles | ||
Category | OpenRice Points | Cathay Pacific Miles |
Earning Conditions | Book a restaurant via OpenRice app and actually visit | Link Cathay account in OpenRice app and book |
Earning Timing | Automatically earned when restaurant confirms after visit completion Be sure to mention you booked via OpenRice when entering to speed up earning! | Automatically earned within 5-7 days after visit completion |
Earning Basis | Number of diners × 20 points (HKD 2, approx. ~$0) | Basic 15-25 miles + additional during promotions ▶Earned regardless of number of diners |
Account Linking | Not required | Required Enter Cathay Pacific mileage number in OpenRice app |
Point Usage | Open coupons, free meal entries, etc. | Flights, hotels, lounges, in-flight shopping, etc. |
Points?
Cathay Pacific Miles?
Which one is more beneficial?
✔️For 1-2 person bookings → Cathay Miles
Points are earned at HKD 2 per person.
This means for 1-2 people, it's about ~$0 - ~$1.
On the other hand, Cathay miles are earned at 15 miles or more per booking.
The value of miles is much greater when redeeming for high-value rewards like business class flights.
✔️For 3 or more person bookings → OpenRice Points
Since points can be accumulated per person,
points are more advantageous for bookings of 3-4 people or more.
Later, when using OpenRice for payments, they can be deducted as a discount,
allowing you to use them like cash!
✔️If you're only visiting Hong Kong once
and don't need OpenRice points?
Then, without hesitation, choose Cathay Pacific miles.
I use both of them evenly :)
4. Hong Kong Restaurant Booking Tips
Popular Local Restaurants in Hong Kong?
Book at least a week in advance!
To visit a Hong Kong Michelin-starred restaurant on your desired date,
booking in advance is absolutely essential!
For restaurants that don't allow online booking, copy their phone number
and contact them via WhatsApp.
Also, some restaurants can only be booked
through their own websites.
MOTT 32 is one such case.
However, even for such restaurants,
you can still check reviews & recent menus on OpenRice.
Octopus Card is a Must!
Many places don't accept cards.
In Hong Kong, quite a few places don't accept cards.
For "Cash Only" establishments, even with an app reservation, cash preparation is essential.
I recommend having cash and an Octopus Card ready.
For more tips on the Octopus Card, refer to the post below ▼
5. Recommended Restaurants You Can Book on OpenRice
August 3, 2025
As of right now,
I've checked each one to confirm
they can still be easily booked via OpenRice, and I'm recommending them again!
These are verified restaurants I've personally visited,
so check out the posts below
and make your reservations! :)
Sheung Wan Restaurant: Mam Amis
Central Restaurant: Bombay Dreams
Tsim Sha Tsui Restaurant: WHISK
This is a Michelin-starred fine dining spot,
and I highly, highly recommend it!
Make sure to watch the video first before you go! :)
Causeway Bay Restaurant: Nabe Urawa
Central Restaurant: Braza
Tsim Sha Tsui Must-Try: Cuisine Cuisine:
📍 MâmAmis
Shop A&B, G/F, Fu Fai Commercial Centre, 27 Hillier St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
📍 Bombay Dreams
1/F, Winning Centre, 46 Wyndham St, Central, Hong Kong
📍 WHISK
5/F, The Mira Hong Kong, No. 118 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
📍 Nabe Urawa
Shop 1404-1405, 14/F, Hysan Place, No. 500 Hennessy Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
📍 BRAZA Churrascaria
3/F, Grand Progress Building, 15 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong
Selected by Locals
OpenRice TOP 50
Want to get a list of Hong Kong's best restaurants?
Too lazy to install an app or do anything else,
and just want to know the best eateries in Hong Kong?
How to Get the Hong Kong Restaurant List |
👉 Check it out in the Naver Cafe below! |
(Only available in Korean) |
For your Hong Kong culinary adventure,
Make your reservations in advance
and enjoy!
If you install OpenRice in advance,
your Hong Kong food journey will be much more convenient and successful!
You can find the hottest restaurants in Hong Kong,
and even earn Cathay Pacific miles or
points just by making a reservation,
You'd be missing out, wouldn't you?
Reduce waiting times and enjoy a foolproof Hong Kong food trip.
If you want to enjoy that,
be sure to install the app before you go! :)
#HongKongRestaurantList
#HongKongTravel
#EssentialHongKongTravelApp
#HongKongEats
#HongKongRestaurantBooking
You must link your Cathay account in the OpenRice app and then make a restaurant reservation. After your visit is complete and the restaurant confirms it, miles will be automatically credited within 5-7 days.
For reservations of 1-2 people, Cathay miles are more beneficial. OpenRice points accrue HKD 2 (approximately ~$0) per person, but Cathay miles accrue 15 miles or more per reservation, which offers greater value for high-value rewards like business class flight tickets.
You should state your name used for the reservation, saying "I am DearMe and reserved via Openrice". Some establishments may require QR code check-in, and please note that your reservation may be automatically canceled if you are 10-15 minutes late for your reserved time.
WHISK is located on the 5th floor of The Mira Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. It is connected to the popular bar 'Vibes'.
It is advisable to prepare cash and an Octopus card for establishments that only accept cash. Many places in Hong Kong do not accept card payments, so it's best to be prepared in advance.
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MOTT 32 Menu Review: My Recommendations After Spending ~$730 in Hong Kong's MOTT 32
Hong Kong Travel: Airport Bus Prices, Routes, Late Night, Octopus Card Purchase & Discounts - A Complete Guide
Hong Kong Sheung Wan Restaurant: Michelin-starred Mam Amis Review near Macau Ferry Terminal & Jenny Bakery
Hong Kong Central Restaurant: Indian Cuisine Bombay Dreams - My Honest Review & Discount Tips
Hong Kong Michelin Tsim Sha Tsui Restaurant: Fine Dining WHISK & VIBES Bar Review
#HongKongMichelin #HongKongTsimShaTsui #HongKongTsimShaTsuiRestaurant #TodayHereClip Hong Kong Michelin-starred fine dining WHISK is absolutely insane with its incredible taste, stunning visuals, and premium ingredients! 🥰 It's located inside the 5-star The Mira Hotel and connected to the hot bar, Vibes! If you want a detailed review, come check out my blog!
Hong Kong Hotpot Shabu-shabu Restaurant Recommendation: Nabe Urawa - Waiting Tips & Membership Discount Hacks
Hong Kong Must-Visit: Brazilian Churrascaria BRAZA – My Honest Review and a ~$15 Discount Tip
Tsim Sha Tsui Dim Sum Gem: Hong Kong Michelin-starred Cuisine Cuisine Review